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A RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE OFFERED TO A HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE The position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service (PMR) in the Amarillo VA Health Care System. The Occupational Therapist OT provides assessment and treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical, occupational and psychosocial dysfunction. Applicants must update their applications every 90 days for further consideration for this OCA Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements, if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Preferred Experience: 1. Previous or current experience with assessment and treatment in an outpatient setting. 2. Previous or current experience with assessment and treatment in an acute care setting, including post op orthopedic patients. 3. Previous or current experience with assessment and treatment in a long term care or skilled nursing facility. 4. Ability to assess and treat patients with chronic pain using a biopsychosocial approach. 5. Familiarity with providing Occupational therapy assessment and follow up using virtual care options including telephone or video platforms. 6. Experience and knowledge with seating system fitting and training including manual and power options. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist GS-11Education, Experience, or Licensure(a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.(b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.(c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.(d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.(e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.(f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.(g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. Occupational Therapist GS-12: Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the [GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the [experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.(b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.(c) Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients.(d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).(e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 dated December 13, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 12 Physical Requirements: The position will require Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Pulling hand over hand (2 hours), Pushing (2 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Walking (6 hours), Standing (6 hours), Kneeling (1 hour). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). ["NOTE: A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.\nNOTE: This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 10/20/2021. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Occupational Therapist has attained skill and experience in, and completes the following with guidance as needed from more experienced staff members.\n1. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for occupational therapy procedures. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of lower graded assistants or technicians to accommodate requests.\n2. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information relative to the occupational therapy care to be rendered.\n3. Knowledge of basic occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice, including assessment and treatment techniques for occupational, cognitive and psychological functional deficits.\n4. Ability to adapt and modify assessment tools and treatments to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities for a variety of general medical, surgical, orthopedic, neurological and psychiatric patients with complex medical conditions.\n5. Complete assessments and implement treatment plans directly or in collaboration with others, including caregiver and staff education regarding positioning, proper seating and use and safety with wheeled mobility devices.\n6. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment verbally and in writing.\n7. May participate in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program.\n8. Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self.\n9. Maintains a high level of competence through participation in continuing education programs. Maintains and updates clinical practice competence by attendance at workshops, seminars, etc., and by review of pertinent medical and rehabilitation literature.\n10. Assists patients and family members in utilization of VA and community resources for transition back in to the community, including knowledge of Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service, Home Improvement and Structural Alterations Grant.\n11. Supervise the Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant to ensure initiation and compliance of established treatment plan and goals.\n12. Supports the occupational safety, health and fire safety program of the health care system by applying approved regulations, practices and work methods.\n13. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nThis is a Bargaining Unit position"]